Another swim season is in the books and numerous west-central swimmers brought home hardware from provincials last weekend.

The meet which was hosted by the Rosetown Royals Speed Swim Team, had approximately 250 swimmers competing for top spot throughout the two-day event, including athletes from Rosetown, Kindersley and Biggar.

The Biggar Barracudas had seven swimmers qualify for the event and five swam their way to the podium and collected a total of seven medals.
• Gillian Masse – 2 bronze 
• Jayden Dawson – 1 bronze
• Abe Genis – 1 gold, 1 silver
• Cody Doering – 1 gold, 1 silver

It was an exciting weekend for the Barracudas as they also received two other awards, one which came as quite a surprise to coach, Kris Doering. Not only did the team win, “Most Improved Small Summer Swim Club 2019”, Doering was also recognized for her over 30 years of coaching.

“I was awarded the Rich Matheson award, which is awarded to people who have been coaching for at least 10 years. I was absolutely in shock, the kids said it was the first time they have ever seen me speechless, and I truly was! It was a great surprise for sure,” shared Doering candidly.

Doering has far surpassed the 10 year coaching minimum, as she has been coaching the sport of swimming for over 30 years. She said she still loves it and it will forever be a passion of hers.

This year, there was two recipients of the award, Deb Stumborg, assistant coach of the Humboldt Hammerheads also received the Rich Matheson award this past weekend.

The newly named, Kindersley Surge, had four swimmers attend the meet, all of which had never competed before this year. Of the four, two athletes placed in the top three.
• Seth Gutenberg – 1 bronze
• Jayden Holland – 1 bronze

In their first year back in the pool, coach Leigh-Anne Gutenberg, said she is extremely proud of the team.

“None of them had competed before, so to make it to provincials and then place, that is a pretty great accomplishment and I couldn’t be more proud, their hard work and dedication really paid off,” said Gutenberg.

The hosts, the Rosetown Royals, continued to demonstrate their skill in the pool, as they have done all season long, taking home a total of 27 medals between the following athletes.
• Maelle Moellenbeck – 3 bronze
• Jude Merrifield – 1 gold, 3 silver
• Alexander Scott – 3 gold, 2 bronze
• PC Strydom – 1 silver
• Jordan Merrifield – 6 gold
• Cordella Scott – 1 silver
• Janel Merrifield – 2 silver, 1 bronze
• Heimarie Strydom – 1 gold, 1 silver
• Tari Wenzel – 1 bronze

The team also unveiled their custom medals for the tournament, that the designed as a team. Trevor Scott with the Rosetown Royals stated they club wanted to design something that would stand out and be a conversation piece.

“We were able to find wooden medallions that allowed any design and shaped to be cut from a piece a wood. The medals in the photos were the end result. As for the First, Second and Third placings, these are identified by the gold, silver and bronze ribbons as well as the number of roses on the medal. Roses were used because of our town name”, shared Scott.

Teams reported that it was a very well run event, with the only mishaps coming from Mother Nature as winds tore through the town late Saturday and Sunday. Coaches and swimmers alike, will now get a break from the competitive season until next spring, with Doering from the Barracudas stating she is expecting the athletes to be back training by May.